Age when you had your first child?

ShannonSRN · Nov 29, 2005

I was a very young 18 when I had my first child.

She is a beautiful 12 year old young lady today, and has a 7 year old sister, and a 5 year old brother.

mom and nurse · Nov 29, 2005

Married at 27, 1st child (boy) at 28, 2nd (boy) at 29, 3rd (girl) at 32, then husband and I adopted a 6 year old boy and his almost 7 year old sister when I was 35. :wink2:

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Nov 29, 2005

I had my first at age 20. I was tired all the time and would have slept all day if allowed. Baby #2 came along 5 years later and I wasn't so tired Baby #3 came 5 years after that and then baby #4 came 3 years after that.

5 years apart was not such a good idea. Having the last 2 closer together was better. A little bit closer would have been better.

It is a misconception that if you have children very young you will be able to keep up with them. No matter what age you are children are a challenge. I was barely able to keep up with my first and I was only 20. I was sooooo tired all the time. As I got older I was a more competent parent and could better "keep up" with my kids and was not as tired.

(Heck my mom is 68, still works as a home health aid and walks from one city to another and back again which is many many miles. It takes her half the day. She has enough energy for several people! :) )

I think the ideal age for starting a family is about age 30. I think you are a better parent at that age, more stable financially and emotionally.

purply_hazy · Nov 29, 2005

I was nineteen when I had my son (who's now four and a half years old). Got married to someone six years older than me so I thought he'd be mature enough, but I thought wrong, so I'm now separated by 24.

sac. nursing student · Nov 29, 2005

#1 ~26

#2 ~31

I wanted to be financially set in order to stay home with both kids. They are 5 years apart because #1 had colic and I was too afraid that #2 would also.

RN and Mommy · Nov 29, 2005

I was 22 when I had my daughter. I wouldn't change my life for anything now, but it would be easier if I finished college first. I graduate in May and it has been harder, but it has made my goals more worthwhile knowing I will be able to provide for her.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Nov 29, 2005

Age 22 - first pregnancy/fetal demise 22 wks

Age 24 - second pregnancy/ healthy baby girl !

Age 32 - third pregnancy/placenta abrupto 20 wks

Age 34 - fourth pregnancy/ healthy baby boy !

I'm blessed with two who are now 16 y/o & 24 y/o and a new grandson. My daughter is 24 and this was her first pregnancy, no complications.

st4wb3rr33sh0rtc4k3 · Nov 29, 2005

Well, I was 17, when I was pregnant. I don't recommend getting pregnant at that age. I was a senior in highschool, and I was pregnant that whole year. I had to put off college, but least I graduated from highschool. And it wasn't fun, especially with the baby's father who wasn't there to help me. My second I had when I was 26, boy what an age gap between them.

suzi_h · Nov 29, 2005

#1- 19

#2- 20

#3- 22

I had them all young so I can't say one way or another. Luckily, we are and always have been stable. I think maturity and stability matters, not neccessarily age. As long as your not dirt poor, you can pretty much make the money work. I promise that, we were close to dirt poor with #1 and never went on welfare. I think "financial ready" is too vague to decide when to have one. No one is ever financially ready to have a child. Unless of course you've got close to $200k sitting around for when baby arrives.

:wink2: Suzi

gr8rnpjt, RN · Nov 29, 2005

Morning everyone! I'm doing a paper for development psych (ugh) and was wondering how old most of you were when you had your first child and what you think the best age to start a family is. I appreciate your responses in advance!

#1--23

#2--25

#3--35

#4--45

guess which one was the easiest. Thats right, at age 45 I had my son and had an epidural for the first time!

liljulz0613 · Nov 29, 2005

I had my son 6 months ago and I'm 19. I got pregnant while going to school and ended up dropping out. I think getting pregnant that young took a toll on me and I just couldn't believe it. I mean I was pregnant by my fiancee and not just some random guy but it still was a shocker. I knew my life was going to be totally different. I had plans and dreams. Once my son was born though, I couldn't have been more happy. I got myself on track and am going to nursing school now. It's hard because I don't get to go clubbing everynight or hang out with my friends but I wouldn't change it for the world. Everyone always tells me how cute he is and how he's so stylish. I tell 'em it's cuz I'm young and stylish too. lol. Personally I wish it would've waited but it's a blessing and I wouldn't change it for anything.